Interdisciplinary Evolutionary Sciences - Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
 

Program Details

The focus of this REU is training in evolutionary science, with students working on research projects across several disciplines. Several academic departments at the University of Iowa offer research projects that span a range of topics, including evolution of behavior, origin of species, cancer evolution, evolution of sex, paleontology, and the evolution of disease. Study organisms span a large range of taxa, and include: flies, snails, fungi, viruses, wasps, human cancer cells, beetles, and disease-causing bacteria and protozoa. Students work on one project, but through interactions with their cohort ultimately receive a broad exposure to evolutionary science. As part of the program, students: receive training in research best practices, participate in career workshops, create a digital exhibit based on their research for the University of Iowa Natural History Museum, and make formal research presentations based on their work. Housing, a meal allowance, stipend ($6,250), and a travel allowance are provided to all participants.

Link to the Summer 2024 Application Portal

Mentors and Project Areas (click on links to learn more about each mentor and their research programs)

 

Dr. Dan Eberl - Reception of courtship song in dipteran insects 

 

Dr. Jan Fassler - Variation in sequence and functions of glutamine rich proteins

 

Dr. Anthony Fischer - Evolution of Staphylococcus aureus during chronic respiratory infections

 

Dr. Andrew Forbes - Evolution and diversity of parasitic insects

 

Dr. Bin He - Evolution of gene regulatory networks for stress response

 

 Dr. Douglas Houston - Evolution of development in amphibians and molluscs.

 

Dr. Drew Kitchen - Emergence and evolutionary rates in viruses

 

Dr. John Logsdon - Molecular evolution of sex and meiosis

 

 

Dr. Maurine Neiman - Evolution of sex in nature

 

Dr. Lara Noldner - Human Osteological Documentation and Research with the University of Iowa Stanford Collection

 

Dr. Bryan Phillips - Understanding the role of protein aggregation in C. elegans embryonic development

 

Dr. Sarit Smolikove - DNA Damage Repair and Meiosis

 

Dr. Christopher Stipp - Evolution of tumor heterogeneity

 

Dr. Mary Wilson - Determinants of disease severity due to infection with the Leishmania species protozoa

 

Eligibility

Participants should:

• be US citizens or permanent residents enrolled at US Universities.
• be majoring in a STEM field (especially Biology, Biological Anthropology, or Geoscience with a Paleontology emphasis).
• be available to attend the entirety of the program (May - July, 2024).
• have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
• have a background in science coursework. Coursework that connects directly to topics in evolution will be favored. 
• have a strong work ethic and motivation to learn
• have an interest in pursuing a career in scientific research.
• identify three or more potential research mentors from the list above.

Students from underrepresented minority groups and/or who have limited research opportunities at their home institution are especially encouraged to apply.

REU Alumni

Click here to watch the 2019 REU Cohort's research videos

Click here to view the 2021 REU Cohort's digital posters

Click here to view the 2022 REU Cohort's digital posters

Click here to view the 2023 REU Cohort's digital posters

 

APPLY HERE for the Summer 2024 Program

 

Questions? Contact Dr. Andrew Forbes (andrew-forbes@uiowa.edu).

Funded by the National Science Foundation - Award Numbers 1757334 & 2149361